Friday, August 25, 2006

PO-PO, stealth community crime meeting [FP]

The meeting will be Tuesday, August 29, at 6:30 PM at Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines, Lower Level Conference Room.

The village didn’t publicize the meeting through the newspaper or the online media outlets. And it didn’t contact Citizens United in Forest Park. (Gloria Backman claims she approached Police Chief Jim Ryan and suggested meetings like the ones the village is holding. Ryan supposedly rebuffed her.)

I’m trying to think why the village wouldn’t use diverse methods to publicize these crime meetings. And one possibility is that Calderone doesn’t want political opponents or people who know enough to ask tough questions there. He’d rather field a bunch of questions that are code for “there are too many Blacks and Latinos in Forest Park” and be sympathetic rather than actually address substantive questions about policing strategies. For example, someone who has been following the police department might ask, “Why does it seem like Chief Ryan and the police department put the more energy into firing cops who oppose Mayor Calderone politically than into preventing crime?”

15 Comments:

Now how do you come up with the statement of using code words for there's to many blacks and hispanics in Forest Park ?Please stop talking bad of the Forest Park citizenary and please stop and ask yourself,Am I neutral? Or am I working for Doolin and being used?It is important to be neutral or else your message will not be heard!

You are wrong. It is a campaign tactic by a Mayor and police chief who don't have a clue. The word desperate come to mind. The words Mayor Doolin also come to mind. Give it up Tony. Spend time with your family, have a good meal & hand the keys to the village to Doolin. Your DONE babe.

The Police Department should make every effort to bridge the gap. There have been so many negative views on Chief Ryan and his operation; this would of been an opportunity for him.

I guess, everything he touches or says is negative. In the end, what does that do, where is the resolution for the very people he protects and serve? How can you confidently back him if he refuses to be a part of the community that he serves.

Really, I have yet to hear them claim any political affilliation. In fact, they bring up issues and proposed resolutions. Probably more than any of our top elected officials have done for our community.

walla walla ding dong,,,sounds about right when describing "da current Mayor."